Instruments of the Orchestra: The Woodwind Family Instrument Families When we talk about musical instruments, we often talk about them as being part of a family. That's because, just like in human families, the instruments in a particular family are related to each other. They are often made of the same types of materials, usually look similar to one another, and produce sound in comparable ways. Some are larger and some are smaller, just as parents are bigger than children. The Woodwind Family The instruments in this family all used to be made of wood, which gives them their name. Today, they are made of wood, metal, plastic or some combination. They are all basically narrow cylinders or pipes, with holes, an opening at the bottom end and a mouthpiece at the top. You play them by blowing air through the mouthpiece (that's the "wind" in "woodwind") and opening or closing the holes with your fingers to change the pitch. Metal caps called keys cover the holes of most woodwind instruments. The mouthpieces for some woodwinds, including the clarinet, oboe and bassoon, use a thin piece of wood called a reed, which vibrates when you blow across it.

The clarinet uses a single reed made of one piece of wood, while the oboe and bassoon use a double reed made of two pieces joined together. Just as with the stringed instruments, the smaller woodwinds play higher pitches while the longer and larger instruments play the lower notes. The woodwind family of instruments includes, from the highest sounding instruments to the lowest, the piccolo , flute , oboe , English horn , clarinet , E-flat clarinet , bass clarinet , bassoon and contrabassoon . Music for Kids: Woodwind Instruments Music for Kids Woodwind Instruments Woodwinds are a type of musical instrument that make their sound when a musician blows air into or across the mouthpiece. They get their name from the fact that most of them were once made of wood. Today many are made of other materials such as metal or plastic. The Oboe is a woodwind instrument There are a lot of types of woodwinds including the flute, piccolo, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, bassoon, bagpipes, and recorder. They all look somewhat similar in that they are all long tubes of various sizes with metal keys that cover the holes when played to make different notes.

The bigger the woodwind instrument the lower the pitch sound they make. Woodwinds can be divided up into two main types of instruments. Flute instruments and reed instruments. Flute instruments make sound when the musician blows air across an edge in the instrument while reed instruments have a reed, or two, that vibrate when the air is blown. We'll discuss this more in How Woodwinds Work. Popular Woodwinds Flute - There are a wide variety of flute types. The kinds of flutes you mostly see in western music are called side-blown flutes where the player produces sound by blowing across an edge on the side of the flute. These are popular instruments for the orchestra and are often used in jazz as well. Flute Piccolo - The piccolo is a small, or half-size, flute. It's played the same way a flute is, but makes higher pitched sounds (one octave higher). Recorder - Recorders are end-blown flutes and are also called whistles. Plastic recorders can be inexpensive and are fairly easy to play, so they are popular with young kids and students in schools. Clarinet - The clarinet is a popular single reed instrument.

It's used in classical, jazz, and band music. There is a wide variety of clarinets making the clarinet family the largest of the woodwinds. Oboe - The oboe is the highest pitch member of the double-reed family of woodwind instruments. The oboe makes a clear, unique, and strong sound. Bassoon - The bassoon is similar to the oboe and is the lowest pitch member of the double-reed family. It is considered a bass instrument. Saxophone - The saxophone is considered part of the woodwind family but is sort of a combination of a brass instrument and the clarinet. It's very popular in jazz music. Saxophone Bagpipes - Bagpipes are reed instruments where the air is forced from a bag of air that the musician blows into to keep full. They are played throughout the world, but are most famous in Scotland and Ireland. Woodwinds in the Orchestra The symphony orchestra always has a large section of woodwinds. Depending on the size and type of orchestra, it will have 2-3 each of the flute, oboe, clarinet, and bassoon.

Then it will typically have 1 each of the piccolo, English horn, bass clarinet, and contrabassoon. Woodwinds in Other Music Woodwinds are not only used in symphony orchestra music. They play an important role in jazz music with the saxophone and clarinet being very popular. They are also widely used in marching bands and in various types of world music throughout the globe. Fun Facts about Woodwinds Not all woodwinds are made out of wood! Some are actually made from plastic or from different types of metal. Up until 1770 the Oboe was called the hoboy. Clarinet player Adolphe Sax invented the saxophone in 1846. The lowest notes in the symphony are played by the large contrabassoon. The flute is the oldest instrument in the world to play notes. More on Woodwind Instruments: Woodwind Instruments: Types, History & Facts - Video & Lesson Transcript | Study.com Woodwind Instruments: Types, History & Facts Watch short & fun videos Start Your Free Trial Today An error occurred trying to load this video. Try refreshing the page, or contact customer support.

You must create an account to continue watching Register for a free trial Are you a student or a teacher? I am a student Start Your Free Trial To Continue Watching As a member, you'll also get unlimited access to over lessons in math, English, science, history, and more. Plus, get practice tests, quizzes, and personalized coaching to help you succeed. Coming up next: Xylophone: History & Facts You're on a roll. Keep up the good work! Your next lesson will play in 10 seconds 0:28 Flutes Add to Add to Add to Want to watch this again later? Log in or sign up to add this lesson to a Custom Course. Custom Courses are courses that you create from Study.com lessons. Use them just like other courses to track progress, access quizzes and exams, and share content. Teachers Organize and share selected lessons with your class. Make planning easier by creating your own custom course. Students Create a new course from any lesson page or your dashboard. From any lesson page: Click "Add to" located below the video player and follow the prompts to name your course and save your lesson. From your dashboard: Click on the "Custom Courses" tab, then click "Create course".

Next, go to any lesson page and begin adding lessons. Edit your Custom Course directly from your dashboard. Personalize: Name your Custom Course and add an optional description or learning objective. Organize: Create chapters to group lesson within your course. Remove and reorder chapters and lessons at any time. Share your Custom Course or assign lessons and chapters. Teacher Edition: Share or assign lessons and chapters by clicking the "Teacher" tab on the lesson or chapter page you want to assign. Students' quiz scores and video views will be trackable in your "Teacher" tab. Premium Edition: You can share your Custom Course by copying and pasting the course URL. Only Study.com members will be able to access the entire course. Create an account to start this course today Try it free for 5 days! Lesson Transcript Instructor: Kevin Newton Kevin has edited encyclopedias, taught middle and high school history, and has a master's degree in Islamic law. Ranging from saxophones to flutes to clarinets, woodwind instruments make up a sizable chunk of not only a classical orchestra, but also bands in several other musical genres. That said, woodwind instruments not only predate many other instruments, but farming and the domestication of animals.

Types of Woodwind Instruments Woodwind instruments take a variety of forms, but all are united in the fact that they create music by causing air to vibrate within a given area. That said, two major types of woodwind instruments exist: those that are flutes, which vibrate air in a given space, and those that use a reed, or small piece of wood, to vibrate the air to create the note. Flutes Flutes are the more basic of the two designs of woodwind instruments and require only a length of hollow material and a way of moving air inside. This can be accomplished by blowing air into it, or by blowing air across a mouthpiece to create movement of the air inside. This means that flutes can be easy to improvise, although they can be among the most ornate. Flutes come in a number of varieties beyond what many think of as the traditional flute, which is more precisely called a Western concert flute. In a typical orchestra, one will also find piccolos, a smaller variant of the flute.

Sketch of a modern concert flute Due to the fact that flutes often (but not always) play at a higher pitch, they were very popular during the Baroque period but lost their esteem during the later Classical period of music. Although, not surprising, given their construction, is the fact that the flute design is very common around the world. Indian versions show Hindu deities playing the flute, and the instrument is quite popular in places as far as China and South America. Reeds The other group of instruments in the woodwind family is the reed instruments. These instruments make music when the musician blows on a reed (in some instruments there are two), which then causes the air in a chamber to vibrate. The air then escapes through holes to create a certain note. Example of a modern reed Instruments such as the clarinet and saxophone are single-reed instruments, while the oboe is a double-reed instrument. Also under the classification of double-reed instruments are bagpipes. These instruments, along with string instruments, now form the core of many modern orchestras. History The very first woodwind instrument dates back to more than 43,000 years ago.

To put that in perspective, humanity did not start farming and domesticating animals until 12,000 years ago. Needless to say, woodwind instruments were among the first tools created by humanity. The first woodwind instrument was a flute carved from the thighbone of a bear. Bone was a natural choice for a flute because after the marrow is extracted, the length of the bone is hollow. The other major class of woodwinds - those that use reeds - were developed around the same time as farming in 10,000 BC, most likely starting out as animal calls. Flutes had significant popularity throughout much of history. They began to take on their modern form around a thousand years ago. In fact, the flute really only lost its popularity during the Classical period, when many composers ignored them as a holdover from the Baroque period. With the invention of recording a few years after the end of the Classical period, use of flutes has expanded and now exists in multiple genres.

× Wind & Woodwind Instruments | eBay Wind & Woodwind Instruments Showing slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES} - Shop by Category Go to previous slide - Shop by Category Go to next slide - Shop by Category Shop by Brand Showing slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES} - Shop by Brand Go to previous slide - Shop by Brand Go to next slide - Shop by Brand Save on Wind & Woodwind Instruments Trending Price is based on prices over last 90 days. Showing slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES} - Save on Wind & Woodwind Instruments Go to previous slide - Save on Wind & Woodwind Instruments Go to next slide - Save on Wind & Woodwind Instruments Best Selling Trending Price is based on prices over last 90 days.

Showing slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES} - Best Selling Go to previous slide - Best Selling Go to next slide - Best Selling Limited Time Deals Showing slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES} - Limited Time Deals Go to previous slide - Limited Time Deals Go to next slide - Limited Time Deals Hot This Week Showing slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES} - Hot This Week Go to previous slide - Hot This Week Go to next slide - Hot This Week Results in Wind & Woodwind Instruments 1-25 of 90,530 Yamaha 221 Flute made in Japan quality is Good condition with some light tarnish and wear, good pads -- may need light cleaning, adjustment and or maintenance. Includes case. See photos for condition. $175.00 This is a previously owned Harmony Red Clarinet w/Case. The clarinet is in decent shape but does have some light wear. The pads look clean and lightly used. All of the keys move freely without sticking. $40.00 Ending Today at 11:05AM PST25m 30s ​ Vintage Selmer Alto Saxophone Tri-Pack Case in excellent condition.

$350.00 This YAMAHA 225SII Student Flute w/Hard Case is in average condition and works normally. Comes with a hard case and the cleaning rod. Comes with only what is pictured. $229.99 Available for best offeror Best Offer ​ USED NEEDS CLEANED AND POLISHED. PERFECT FOR A BEGINNER STUDENT. NICE SOLID FOR AGE. UNSURE OF ANY ISSUES, NOT AN EXPERT. CHECK PICTURES SOLD AS IS. $30.00 Available for best offeror Best Offer ​ This is a previously owned Vito Dazzler Pink Clarinet w/Hard Case. The clarinet is in decent shape but does have some wear. The pads look clean and lightly used however the cork looks worn in a number of places. $40.00 Ending Today at 10:53AM PST12m 55s ​ NO SIGN OF PREVIOUS REPAIR. $119.99 Buy this HIGH QUALITY, NICE! BUNDY SELMER TENOR SAXOPHONE. MADE IN THE USA.

COMES IN ORIGINAL PRE-OWNED HARD PROTECTIVE BUNDY CASE - OUTSIDE OF CASE IN POOR CONDITION. A FEW DINGS. SMALL DENT AT ONE AREA OF BELL EDGE. $350.00 Selmer Aristocrat Student Model Flute in Case This is a lightly used student model flute in very good to excellent condition. There are some light scratches here and there but no major blemishes. All of the mechanics are smooth and tight, and all of the seals are iin great shape with no leaking. $39.99 Ending Friday at 2:31PM PST2d 3h ​ Buy this SOLID QUALITY! CONN 20M ALTO SAXOPHONE. LACQUER OVERALL IN NICE CONDITION-THERE ARE NORMAL SCRATCHES AND A FEW DINGS ON BACK/BOTTOM. $289.99 If I were to recommend a beginner flute model, a Yamaha 200 series flute would be it. The 225SII & 225S are now called model "221" - they are nearly identical to the current models and all parts are interchangeable.

$189.99 Buy this CLASSIC! VITO ALTO SAXOPHONE VITO MELODIA MOUTHPIECE/LIGATURE/CAP CASE. INCLUDES PRE-OWNED VITO MELODIA MOUTHPIECE (NEEDS SANITIZED) WITH FRENCH LIGATURE & CAP. ORIGINAL NECK WITH BLUE VITO SYMBOL. $229.99 Yamaha Flute YFL-24N Comes with case. $100.00 Available for best offeror Best Offer ​ 1978 Normandy 4 Black Clarinet with Case As Is Used clarinet in fair condition with normal wear from previous user. Case is in fair condition with normal wear from previous owner. Does not come with any reeds. Has a serial number of 90785 which means it was made in 1978. $129.95 Available for best offeror Best Offer ​ Conn 20M Alto Sax - complete with new mouthpiece, reed, and hard case. New Mouthpiece, Cap, Ligature, Reed, Strap. Solid, Student Horn. Hard Case. Serial Number: N270634.

$76.00 Ending Today at 2:22PM PST3h 42m ​ Offset G key. Triple coated silver plated finish. French key mechanism (open hole). We are happy to serve you! $549.00 Available for best offeror Best Offer ​ BEAUTIFUL SELMER PARIS REFERENCE 54. ALTO SAXOPHONE. A FEW MINOR DINGS AND LACQUER WEAR. NEWER MAX CASE. $2,799.99 String Instruments All That Jazz Woodwind instruments play an important role in many types of music, including jazz, classical, and even pop and rock. Any modern orchestra today almost always includes a woodwind section of flutes, oboes, clarinets, and bassoons. Woodwinds can be divided into three categories: brass instruments, reed instruments, and flutes. While some woodwind instruments are suited for beginners, other woodwinds are among the most difficult and demanding instruments to learn. Top woodwind brands include Yamaha, Armstrong, and Gemeinhardt.

Reed Woodwind Instruments Reed instruments, such as the oboe and clarinet, have one or more pieces of reed in the mouthpiece. The sound comes when the musician blows through the mouthpiece and vibrates the reed. Another popular reed instrument is the saxophone. It is similar to the clarinet, except most saxes are curved in a characteristic S shape. Saxophones are one of the best selling instruments on eBay. Flutes While "flute" is the name for a family of instruments, most people recall the silver-colored instrument that is held horizontally as a flute. Flutes produce sound when a musician directs a focused stream of air across the edge of a hole in a cylindrical tube. Flutes are most often used in symphony orchestras and jazz ensembles. Whistles Tin whistles have six holes that can be covered by the fingers in order to produce two notes and two octaves out of each finger position. Tin whistles are great for beginners because they are relatively simple to play and they are durable instruments for kids. Choosing a Woodwind Instrument As with any instrument, the quality of sound that comes from a woodwind varies slightly depending on design, construction, and the type of wood or metal used.

You can find a large selection of woodwind instruments on eBay to fit your budget and personal preferences. Woodwinds | Musician's Friend Etude EAS-100 Student Alto Saxophone The world of woodwinds is a varied and exciting place filled with a wide range of instruments, both with and without reeds, which can produce very different sounds. Popular among students and classical players as well as jazz and even pop musicians, woodwind instruments are extremely versatile, yet each has different strengths. Single reed and double reed instruments both use cut reeds made from cane or synthetic materials that vibrate against the mouthpiece or each other to produce sound, while the reedless woodwinds use no moving parts, just air, to produce a much different tone. The single reed instruments are perhaps the most popular woodwinds and can add a bright, woody dimension to a concert band, jazz ensemble and more. Both are available in multiple variations to achieve different ranges, but B-flat clarinets and the tenor and alto saxophone are the most popular. Clarinets offer an impressive pitch range, while the saxophone is generally used in a larger variety of musical styles.

Double reed instruments have a throatier timbre that was perhaps best described by American playwright Tony Kushner as what a duck would sound like if a duck were a songbird. The oboe and bassoon are the best-known examples and are available in starter models like the Allora Student Series Oboe, professional models like the Fox Model 601 Bassoon and everything in between, not to mention quality replacement bocals to enhance the response, resistance and tone. If you're looking for the purest aerophone sound, a reedless instrument is the one class of woodwinds that uses only wind and no moving parts to produce its tone. From the accessible recorder, popular among students, to the more demanding Western concert flute and piccolo, reedless instruments offer a versatile, airy timbre and high range that's common in orchestras, concert bands, world music, jazz and even rock bands such as Jethro Tull, Genesis and The Beatles. As well as an instrument, a woodwind musician might need a mouthpiece, case, reeds, and other accessories, and you'll find them all here, too.

Even someone looking for a fun, unique instrument will find what they're searching for in the selection of Akai Electronic Wind Controllers. The huge class of woodwind instruments really has something to offer for every type of musician.

{"eVar4":"shop: woodwinds","pageName":"[mf] shop: woodwinds","reportSuiteIds":"musiciansfriendprod","eVar3":"shop","prop2":"[mf] shop: woodwinds","prop1":"[mf] shop: woodwinds","evar51":"default: united states","prop10":"category","prop11":"woodwinds","prop5":"[mf] shop: woodwinds","prop6":"[mf] shop: woodwinds","prop3":"[mf] shop: woodwinds","prop4":"[mf] shop: woodwinds","channel":"[mf] shop","linkInternalFilters":"javascript:,musiciansfriend.com","prop7":"[mf] category"} Ship To: Connect with us on Linkedin Watch us on Youtube PARENTS' GUIDE: A Parents’ guide to Woodwinds A Parents’ Guide to Choosing Woodwind Instruments Samdani Golam 2016-12-16T13:59:26+00:00 Choosing a Musical Instrument for your Child: A Parents’ guide to Woodwinds [c-omega] Many people find themselves thrown into the world of

 musical instruments they know nothing about when their children first begin music at school.

Knowing the basics of good instrument construction, materials, and choosing a good store in which to rent or buy these instruments is extremely important. So what process should a parent follow to make the best choices for their child? Clearly the first step is to choose an instrument. Let your child have their choice. Kids don’t make very many big decisions about their life, and this is a big one that can be very empowering. I can also say from personal experience that kids have a natural intuition about what is good for them. Ultimately, my strongest advice is to put a child into a room to try no more than 3-5 different choices, and let them make their choice based on the sound they like best. This information is intended to broaden your horizons, not to create a preference, or to put you in a position to nit-pick in the store! Most instruments are extremely well made these days, and choosing a respected retailer will allow you to trust recommendations. Ask your school and/or private music teacher where to shop. Woodwind instruments are made all over the world, but primarily in the USA, Germany, France, and China.

When we talk about Woodwind instruments, we are referring to members of the Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Oboe, and Bassoon families. WOODWIND BASICS All Woodwinds involve a fairly complex, interconnected mechanism that has to be regulated so that the keys all move and seal the holes of the instrument when they are supposed to. Your trusted local retailer will be sure to get you an instrument that is ‘set up’, although many new instruments come ready to go out of the box. When you are dealing with a brand new instrument, you should bring it back to the store for a check-up after about 3 months, or sooner if there are any issues. Because all of the materials are new and tight, they may come out of regulation as the instrument is broken in. This is normal. You should count on this kind of regulation every 12-18 months, or sooner if the instrument is played a lot. Woodwinds also have pads. Pads are the part of the instrument that seal over the holes in the body of the instrument (toneholes). A perfect seal is required to produce the correct note. Tuning and sound quality are affected by a correctly ‘seated’ pad.

These also occasionally need replacing, as part of your regular maintenance, although very rarely all at once. When all pads need to be replaced (once every 8-10 years), this is done as part of a comprehensive ‘overhaul’ of the instrument which includes taking it all apart, cleaning it, refitting and tightening loose parts, and replacing springs and corks as necessary. This is a rare procedure, and generally reserved for professionals. The maintenance repair is the most common one for parents. Because of the many rods and key-cups (these hold the pads), there are a lot of very sensitive, easy to bend parts of these instruments. Knowing how to assemble them properly is important to avoiding unwanted repair costs. Be sure to ask your local retailer for the proper way to assemble your instrument. This is often the cause of the most common repairs, followed by bumping into things. MATERIALS Interestingly, not all woodwinds are made from wood. Flutes and saxophones are made primarily of metals; Nickel-silver and silver for Flutes, and generally Brass for Saxophones. We’ll stick to these materials for these instruments for simplicity’s sake, as there are increasingly more choices available.

For the rest of the Woodwind instruments, wood is indeed employed for the main construction of the instruments. Flutes & Saxophones Student Flutes are made from Nickel-Silver, then plated in silver. Nickel-Silver is a combination of brass with Nickel, which has a similar look to Silver when polished, hence its name. One of its primary advantages is that it is stronger than brass or silver on their own. As you progress to better instruments more Silver is used, starting with the headjoint (which is the most important factor in a good quality of sound). More on headjoints later. Saxophones are generally made from brass. Try to find an instrument that has ‘ribbing’ on the body; extra plates of brass that provide structural support over an area where multiple posts attach to the body. This provides strength for the occasional and unavoidable bumps that your young students are bound to have. Some student Saxes have keywork made of Nickel-Silver, which is a good strategy for strength in a vulnerable area. Clarinets and Oboes Clarinet and Oboe bodies are typically made of ABS plastic for student instruments. This is a good strategy for bumps, but also against the maintenance habits and climate changes that students face.

Intermediate and professional instruments are made of Grenadilla wood (which is changing as Grenadilla edges towards the endangered list). Because they are made of wood they must be protected against cracking. If a student doesn’t swab their instrument out after playing, the moisture can cause the wood to expand and crack. Likewise, bringing your instrument to school on a cold day and playing it without allowing it to come to room temperature will cause it to crack, or even rupture. This is caused a pressure differential from your warm air column on the inside of the instrument, versus the cold temperature outside of the instrument. If you decide to get a wood instrument, be sure your student is ready and able to look after it properly. Keys on Clarinets and Oboes are generally made from Nickel-Silver, but can be made with Silver plating, or other materials. Bassoons Student Bassoons are made from ABS plastic, but there are some new makers in the market that offer Hard Rubber, and also Maple (used in professional instruments). A downside for Hard Rubber Bassoons is that they are quite heavy. If you can get a good wood Bassoon for a reasonable price, then choose this one.

Wood offers the best acoustics for Bassoon, and can make the difference between a plain sound, and one that is rich and interesting. Keywork on Bassoons is equally made from Nickel-Silver, often silver plated. MOUTHPIECES Using the word ‘mouthpiece’ for woodwinds can be confusing. Here are the instruments with the correct names for the corresponding part of the instrument that makes the sound: [listdot] Clarinet: Mouthpiece (with a single reed) Saxophone: Mouthpiece (with a single reed) Oboe: Double reed (two reeds tied together with a hole in between) Bassoon: Double reed (two reeds tied together with a hole in between) [/listdot] Regardless of the instrument, this is the part of the whole that makes the greatest impact on the quality of the sound, in combination with the player’s personal physical attributes. Students generally use what they get from their teacher, but below are some tips about how to get the most from your equipment. Getting a good mouthpiece can precede, and even postpone the purchase of a new Clarinet or Sax, so great is the difference with hard rubber.

For Flute, make sure your headjoint cork is properly aligned, and not dried out. Your local retailer will show you how to do this. If there are problems, have them fixed right away, or choose a different flute. For more intermediate flutes, choose a headjoint that is not only made entirely of Silver, but is hand-cut. This won’t always be easier to play at first, but the sound quality improvement will be worth making the leap. Silver sounds better than Nickel-Silver, producing a better tone quality, with more room for changing the quality according to the player’s needs. You can buy headjoints separately, but it can be very expensive, and I advise against this until you reach a professional flute. Oboe and Bassoon use two opposing, slightly curved reeds tied together that vibrate against each other when air passes between them. Advanced oboists/bassoonists make reeds for themselves, a time-consuming, skill-heavy task. It takes many years to learn to make reeds for yourself, that work well. Fortunately, there are ready-made reeds that generally meet the needs of the student player.

One key element you should test is to assure that the reed ‘crows’ perfectly at the pitch ‘C’. Crowing a reed is blowing through it when it is not attached to the instrument. Test the crow with a tuner. Clarinets and Saxophones use a single reed (small piece of very well shaped and profiled cane) tied to a mouthpiece (by a ring called a ‘ligature’) that vibrates when air is passed between the two. The combination of these parts is key to a good sound. Most students receive a plastic mouthpiece to begin. Good plastic mouthpieces are made by Yamaha for both Clarinet and Saxophone, with the designation of ‘4C’. I would recommend a ‘5C’ if it is available. It will be a little harder to play at first, but a good way to get a bigger sound right off the bat. If you would like to get a better quality of sound with more room for good loud and soft playing while maintaining and introducing a rich tone, then consider a Hard Rubber Mouthpiece. Hard rubber is superior to plastic acoustically, and must be hand finished, unlike the plastic variety, which is spit out of a mold and polished/tumbled for shine.

These are noticeably more expensive, but you should expect to spend in the $100-150 range for a decent Hard Rubber mouthpiece. Good names include: Selmer, Vandoren, Otto Link, Meyer, Yamaha, and Leblanc. Your local retailer should stock at least two of these brands for you to try – and you should try them! Because these are typically hand finished, they are often subtly different. What about sizes? Clarinet and Saxophone mouthpieces have a variety of different sizing areas, but for the sake of simplicity, the most important is the ‘tip opening’. Tip opening refers to the distance between the tip of the reed and the tip of the mouthpiece. Sadly, there is no standardized system for measuring tip openings, although they are commonly measured in millimetres, or using a numbering system (usually beginning at number 5, a student sizing), or even letters. The metric method usually consists of two to three numbers; an opening of 2.97mm might be listed as 297, or as 97, depending on the maker. The numbering system can be listed as 5, 5*, 6, 6*, 7, etc.

The ‘star’ numbers should be considered half-sizes. Letters work the same way as numbers in general; C, C*, D, D*, etc. To give your student a leg up, aim for a ‘6’, or ‘D’ sizing. This is bigger than what they are used to, but will pay off with a bigger sound right away. Some notes on the ends of your range, both low and high, will likely suffer, but this is only temporary as you adjust to the new mouthpiece and develop greater strength. OTHER ITEMS Oil and Adjust. This procedure needs to be conducted on your student’s instrument annually, or even more frequently, if there is a lot of playing. The mechanics of the interconnected parts is delicate, and comes out of alignment often. Bore oiling. Once a year this will be required on Clarinets and Oboes to help guard against cracking. Avoid cheap instruments. With musical instruments you get what you pay for. There are a lot of instruments coming from India and China now. Many are excellent, while many others should not even have been made. Your local, respected dealer should have those that are reliable, and will stand behind them.

Your big-box Costco, Wal-Mart, BestBuy, and e-Bay has no expertise in these matters, and functions for their bottom line only. Avoid these places. They cannot possibly offer you the continued assistance, service, or repair that a developing and interested student will need. If you choose this route, ask for american, european, or japanese-made instruments. This will be a major separator of good from bad. People who make in these places are generally very well trained and part of a history of excellent wind instrument making. Your local, trusted retailer will help to guide you in the choices available, and remember that just because it says USA, or Paris on it, does not mean it was made in these places. Manufacturers are now sometimes making these things part of the ‘name’ of the instrument. How much should I spend? That is the big question. Be aware that popular instruments, like Flute and Clarinet, are less expensive because they are made in greater quantities. Some instruments, like Oboe and Bassoon, are challenging and time-consuming to make, making them more expensive. Below is a list of acceptable and approximate pricing (at the time that this is being written) for new student instruments that works for both American and Canadian currency.

[listdot] [/listdot] When should I buy a better instrument, and Why? 60 years ago, there were no ‘student’ and ‘intermediate’ instruments. Manufacturers were just coming to the realization that there was an emerging, post-war market that was changing to support a more commercial model of instrument making. Today, instruments are engineered to get you to buy three times. First as a beginner, then as an advancing student, and finally as a professional. Clearly, this is a model that makes a lot of money for manufacturers. For the right reasons, I often encourage parents to start with the better instrument, or even a good used intermediate or professional instrument. Starting on better equipment is like starting on that slightly larger mouthpiece; getting a bigger, better sound is encouraging. The better construction and materials combination of these better instruments will also leave more room to grow. So what are the right reasons? Here is a list that works not only as guide for helping to choose the right instrument, but for what you should watch for to help musical growth: [listdot] Going to a school with a strong music program. Getting private lessons, or has asked for some.

(Check with private teacher for recommendations before buying, this will help.) Practicing without parental encouragement Has at least 4 years of playing ahead of them. [/listdot] These factors are good indicators of whether to buy, and whether to buy intermediate or professional. If the bulk of these are unclear, consider a rental for a year to see if they get any clearer, and supplement with regular (weekly) private lessons. Music is an investment that requires attention from a variety of angles, and the instrument itself is just a small step. Being armed with the knowledge of how to get the instrument is just part of a process that a parent can – and should – be actively involved in. Many parents don’t know anything about all of this, but now you do! Ask the questions you need to know, and you’ll be just fine getting your new instrument. Our Location: Woodwind & Brasswind: Band and Orchestra Instruments Store If you find the same item advertised for less, we'll beat it! (exclusions/limitations apply) About Woodwind & Brasswind Woodwind & Brasswind - Your band & orchestra authority - offers more than 65,000 musical products.

We carry a full range of woodwind instruments such as saxophones, clarinets, flutes, oboes and bassoons plus all the woodwind accessories you need like saxophone reeds, clarinet reeds, ligatures, mouthpieces and more. We also have a wide selection of brass instruments including trumpets, trombones and tubas as well as marching brass, plus accessories like brass mouthpieces and mutes. Woodwind & Brasswind also carries orchestral strings, sheet music and method books, drums, guitars and classroom instruments. Players of all levels and ages will find a huge selection of reeds from top brands including D'Addario, Vandoren, Legere, Harry Hartmann and more. We carry woodwind mouthpieces from JodyJazz, Vandoren, Selmer Paris and Theo Wanne and brass mouthpieces from Bach, Yamaha, Warburton and Denis Wick. Looking for hard-to-find products? Look no further than the Woodwind & Brasswind Boutique Store for products from Keilwerth, Zonda, Miraphone, Schilke, Fiberreed and many other quality brands. Want to learn how to play an instrument but don't know where to start?

It's easy with Woodwind & Brasswind's wide assortment of sheet music and method books including top brands such as Hal Leonard, Alfred and Carl Fischer. Or visit the Beginner Store to find useful beginner buyer guides for nearly every category of instrument. Backed by over 35 years of experience, Woodwind & Brasswind offers a fast and convenient way to find all the band & orchestra instruments and accessories you need in one place. We offer free shipping on thousands of items and your order usually ships within a day of ordering. You've trusted Woodwind & Brasswind to provide the instruments, accessories and equipment you need at the prices you want. We aim to be your go-to source for all of your musical needs, so this is our promise to you. We will beat any verified price from any authorized US dealer for the identical new item up to 45 days from purchase. In addition, we will accept competitors' coupons on items we stock. No matter what instrument you play, or how long you've been playing it, our experienced Staff Advisors can help you find the right instrument for you, your band, your music program, your orchestra or your drumline.

Woodwind & Brasswind has been your band & orchestra authority for over 35 years and we're proud to support music and the music community. {"reportSuiteIds":"wwbwprod","pageName":"[wwbw] wwbwhome","prop2":"[wwbw] wwbwhome","prop1":"[wwbw] wwbwhome","prop5":"[wwbw] wwbwhome","prop6":"[wwbw] wwbwhome","prop3":"[wwbw] wwbwhome","evar51":"default: united states","prop4":"[wwbw] wwbwhome","channel":"[wwbw] wwbwhome","linkInternalFilters":"javascript:,wwbw.com","prop7":"[wwbw] wwbwhome"} Woodwind Instrument: List of Musical Instruments in the Woodwind Family Woodwind Instrument - Instruments in This Family 121k views 25 items tags f t p @ Woodwind instrument: list of all the most popular musical instruments in this family. Any well-known instrument in the Woodwind instrument instruments family is included along with photos when available. Examples include Mouth organ and Recorder.

The woodwind family, by definition, There are two main types of woodwind instruments: flutes and reed instruments. What differentiates these instruments from other wind instruments is the way in which they produce their sound. While that may sound complicated, it really isn't. Certain types of woodwinds, open flutes in particular, use required to blow a stream of air across a sharp edge that then splits the airstream. Contrarily, to produce a sound with a closed flute, the player is required to blow air into a duct. Sounds complication, but in the end, the noises the instrument make are beautiful and soothing. On this list of all of the instruments in the woodwind family, you're likely to see a bunch of instruments you've never heard of. Who knows, you may discover something you never heard of, you may want to pick it up and learn how to play it.

(25 items) List Photo: user uploaded image Z G Options B Comments & Embed 1 Bass oboe Bass, Woodwind instrument, Oboe 3 Contrabass oboe Woodwind instrument, Oboe 8 Families of Musical Instruments Cool Stuff > Music Families of Musical Instruments Musical instruments are grouped into families based on how they make sounds. In an orchestra, musicians sit together in these family groupings. But not every instrument fits neatly into a group. For example, the piano has strings that vibrate, and hammers that strike. Is it a string instrument or a percussion instrument? Some say it is both! Brass Brass instruments are made of brass or some other metal and make sound when air is blown inside. The musician's lips must buzz, as though making a "raspberry" noise against the mouthpiece. Air then vibrates inside the instrument, which produces a sound. Brass instruments include trumpet , trombone , tuba , French horn , cornet , and bugle . Percussion Most percussion instruments make sounds when they are hit, such as a drum or a tambourine.

Others are shaken, such as maracas, and still others may be rubbed, scratched, or whatever else will make the instrument vibrate and thus produce a sound. Percussion instruments include drums , cymbals , triangle , chimes, tam-tam , glockenspiel , timpani , bells , and xylophone . Strings Yes, the sounds of string instruments come from their strings. The strings may be plucked, as in a guitar or harp; bowed, as with a cello or a violin; or struck, as with a dulcimer. This creates a vibration that causes a unique sound. Stringed instruments include the violin , viola , cello , bass, harp , and dulcimer . Woodwinds Woodwind instruments produce sound when air (wind) is blown inside. Air might be blown across an edge, as with a flute; between a reed and a surface, as with a clarinet; or between two reeds, as with a bassoon. The sound happens when the air vibrates inside.

Question: What is the name of the mouthpiece on most woodwind instruments?
Answer: REED